Trees of Life

 

Gen 2:9

9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

 

Rev 2:7

7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

 

Gen 3:22

22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

 

Rev 22:2

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

 

Gen 3:24

24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

 

Rev 22:14

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

 

The Tree of Life:

  • Pleasant, Sustaining, and Fruitful
  • Gives life, health, blessing

 

How to enjoy its benefits now:

 

1. Lay Hold on Wisdom. (Prov 3:18)

She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.      

  • “the ability to draw judgment in moral and spiritual matters”
  • it is said to be the “principle thing” (Prov 4:7)
  • “happy is the man that findeth it” (Prov 3:13)
  • “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1:7)

 

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)

 

2. Bear fruit / win souls. (Prov 11:30)

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

  • “He that abideth in me…” (John 15:5)
  • “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…” (Gal 5:22-23)

 

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Hebrews 12:11

 

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:18

 

 

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:15

 

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15

 

  • “…I have begotten you through the gospel” (1 Cor 4:15)
  • “ I am made all things to all people, that might by all means save some.” (1 Cor 9:22)

 

3. Delight Yourself in the Lord. (Prov 13:12)

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

 

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

 Psalms 37:4-5

  • “your patience of hope” (1 Thess 1:3)
  • “that blessed hope” (Titus 2:13)
  • Rom 8:21-25
  • “Even so come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev 22:20)

4. Tame your tongue. (Prov 15:4)

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

 

James 3:1-8

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

 

  • “mouth, tongue, or lips” 113 times in Proverbs alone
  • In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. Prov 10:19-21
  • A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. (Prov 13:2-3)
  • A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. Prov 18:7

 

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ephesians 4:15

 

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6